What happened?

  • Major General Aharon Haliva, the head of Israel’s military intelligence directorate, resigned over the failures surrounding Hamas’ October 7 attack.

  • Haliva admitted to an “intelligence failure” and called for an official investigation.

  • Haliva’s resignation marks the first senior figure to step down over his role in Israel’s deadliest assault, and other military and security leaders are also expected to resign due to failures leading up to the attack.

  • Haliva was on holiday in Eilat during the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, which resulted in multiple Israelis being killed and abducted, and he reportedly canceled nightly alerts to Israel and refused to speak with the Chief of Staff regarding the matter. (Globes)

What is International media saying:

  • The attack was considered a major intelligence failure, with multiple defense officials, including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, taking some responsibility for the insufficient warning to thwart the attacks. Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take responsibility and launch a thorough investigation. (CNN, Financial Times, The Guardian)

What is Israeli media saying:

  • Haliva stated that the intelligence branch did not meet the mission entrusted to it, and he expressed carrying the pain of war with him every day and night since that dark day. (Ynet)

  • Haliva’s resignation was coordinated with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and approved by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and he will become the first senior officer in the IDF to resign over the October 7 attack. (Times of Israel)

  • Haliva highlighted the importance of learning from mistakes and preserving the positive aspects in intelligence operations. (Ynet)


  • In July, an officer in Unit 8200 warned of a future attack by Hamas, stating they have more capabilities than what the IDF estimates, and it’s unclear if Haliva received this information, but regardless, his intelligence failure regarding the attack is not in dispute. (Globes)

  • A senior officer in Unit 8200 warned of a Hamas mass infiltration plan, but Haliva chose not to inform the Chief of Staff and the head of the Shin Bet. (Mako)

What is Arab media saying:

  • The timing of resignations is uncertain due to ongoing conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, and some have accepted blame for the attack, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has not acknowledged responsibility. (Arab News)

Sources: